Immediate past governors of Lagos and Rivers
states, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Mr. Rotimi
Amaechi respectively; a former governor of Ekiti
State, Engineer Segun Oni and Education minister
in the Obasanjo government, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili,
may be among the ministerial nominees being
considered by President Muhammadu Buhari, The
Nation has gathered.
Also believed to be on the list expected to be
forwarded to the Senate next week are a former
Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Abdurahman
Danbazzau; Prof. Pat Utomi of the Pan Africa
University, Lagos and Chief Economic Adviser to
the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Dr.Tanimu
Yakubu Kirfi.
One of ex-Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi and ex-
Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola may also be
picked.
Presidency sources said last night that while
Buhari is keen on having a lean cabinet, the 1999
Constitution is an impediment as it stipulates
that every state of the federation must be
represented in the Federal Executive Council.
Buhari and his think-tank are said to have
realised that the size of the incoming cabinet
cannot be less than 36.
Although the President is keeping the list to his
chest, it was learnt that he is disposed to
accepting nomination of capable,tested and what
one source called “ethical” candidates from ex-
President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Chief of Army
Staff, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, APC national leader
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ex-Vice President Atiku
Abubakar, and the newly-elected Senate President,
Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Ex-Minister Bolaji Abdullahi and former National
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
Alhaji Kawu Baraje are likely to slug it out for the
Kwara State slot.
Buhari is also said to favour consulting Tinubu on
some slots, regardless of pressure from some
elements in the Presidency.
A source said: “The President has been consulting
widely on the list of his ministers. All things being
equal, some candidates from ex-President
Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Chief of Army Staff, Gen.
T.Y. Danjuma, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, ex-Vice
President Atiku Abubakar, and the newly-elected
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki may make the
list.
“Some of these heavyweights have submitted
advisory names but it is left for the President to
reject or accept them.
“Governors will have less input into the cabinet.
The President is actually fine-tuning the list of
ministers which he will soon send to the National
Assembly. We are hopeful that in the next one
week or two, the legislature may get the list.
“As I am talking to you, the President is keeping
the list to his chest. I am aware that some ex-
governors may make the team on merit.”
On the provisions of Section 147(1-3),one source
said: “It is difficult for the President to manage a
cabinet that is less than 36 because of the
constitutional provision.
“The President may however reduce the perks of
office of Ministers and make the posts less
lucrative except for genuine ones who want to
serve the nation. So in the light of 147(1-3), the
President is handicapped and he has to run the
government with at least 36 ministers unless the
constitution is amended.”
The section reads: “There shall be such offices of
Ministers of the Government of the Federation as
may be established by the President.
“Any appointment to the office of Minister of the
Government of the Federation shall, if the
nomination of any person to such office is
confirmed by the Senate, be made by the
President.
“Any appointment under subsection (2) of this
section by the President shall be in conformity
with the provisions of section 14(3) of this
Constitution:
“Provided that in giving effect to the Provisions
aforesaid the President shall appoint at least one
Minister from each state, who shall be an
indigene of such state.”
When contacted, one of the strategists of the new
administration said: “The President is still keeping
the list of ministers to his chest; he has not
disclosed any list.”
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